Warriors to start on minus four
points

The New Zealand Warriors will go into their opening round encounter against Melbourne on minus-four competition points after the NRL today confirmed the penalty for salary cap breaches would stand.

Earlier this week the Warriors provided the NRL with a written submission contesting the breach notice which penalised the club four competition points and $430,000 for salary cap breaches in 2004 and 2005. The Warriors had argued against the severity of the four-point penalty and confirmed the efforts they had undertaken to remedy all breaches.

But after considering the Warriors' written submissions, the NRL decided to proceed with the penalties as outlined to the club last week. The club, which now complies with the salary cap following a final audit of all existing contracts and projections, will not lodge any further appeal.